The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 198

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The next day, | found myself sitting quietly on the couch, waiting for the tto arrive. He said it would be at noon, though that seemed too far away.

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Rolling over, | reached for the remote control on the nightstand and turned on the television. The news was already on, though they were discussing other local drama. | tried not to give into the boredom, and it eventually paid off.

My heart skipped a beat as the reporter announced sbreaking news and Timothy’s face emerged. He faced a small group of reporters, microphones thrusted in his face, smiles plastered on hid lips. The headline flashed across the bottom of the screen: “Timothy Calls Off Engagement to Stella Fitzgerald.”

| couldn't tear my gaze away from the screen. Every word and image felt like something that would play out of a telea. Aria appeared from her room, her disheveled hair and sleep—fogged eyes bearing witness to the early

hour.

“What?” she gasped. “Evie, is this... Is this true?”

| nodded slowly, my eyes still glued to the screen. “He had already toldhe would. Guess this makes it Official.”

She moved to my side, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Wow. He is committed.”

| quirked an eyebrow, not sure what she meant by that, and | was slightly afraid of digging deeper. Either way, the news continued on, and the typical fan speculation followed after. | lowered the voland turned to Aria,

unable to help the smile that emerged. “It just feels like a weight has been lifted. | guess Stella’s finally letting go, though it took sforce,” | said with a huff.

Aria kissed her teeth and shook her head. “Didn’t think she’d unlatch her claws after all this time, but it worked out. | trust Scarlett paid you handsomely?”

“She did,” | said, nodding rapidly. Scarlett made the transfer rather quickly, and seeing it in my bank account was almost liberating. | had giventhe kick that | needed toward progression, and after seeing Timothy’s own victory, | figured that | couldn't stall mine forever.

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| scrambled off of the couch and rushed to my bedroom. | began searching for something to wear, my mind racing with plans and ideas. Aria watchedwith concern, her gaze never wavering.

“Where are you going?” she asked, standing in the doorway as she peered in. “I'm going to my old firm,” | told her. “To do what I’ve been waiting to do since | was fired.”

Aria followedinto the closet, her eyes wide as she watchedpull on a pair of black slacks and a crisp white. blouse. “Do you think that’s a good idea, Evie? | mean, considering the way you left... he might not be so agreeable.”

| shrugged, a wave of anger coursing through me. “I don’t care about that right now, Aria. | need to clear my name. | worked hard to be in that firm and he knows it.”

With that, | grabbed my purse, my keys, and headed for the door. Aria followed me, her expression conflicted. She knew as well as | did that | needed to get to the bottom of this mess, but she also understood the potential backlash.

The drive to my old law firm was a silent one, the anticipation of it weighing down my stomach like a block of lead. As | pulled into the parking lot, my heart pounded in my chest, making my teeth vibrate with every beat.

Walking into the building was a surreal experience. It had been a couple of months since | had last set foot inside, and the air felt heavy with the memories of my tthere. The receptionists eyes widened in shock as ! passed her desk, but | paid her no mind. | had more important things on my mind.

The office had gone through schanges since | left. New faces, new decor, but the underlying structure remained the same. | ignored the hushed whispers and curious glances as | made my way to Mr. Erickson’s office.

The door was closed, but | didn’t bother knocking.

| swung the door open, my anger and determination evident in my stride. Mr. Erickson, still portly with thinning hair and glasses perched on his nose, looked up from his paperwork. Surprise, followed by a flash of annoyance, crossed his features.

“Evie,” he said, his voice tight with disapproval. “What are you doing here?”

| didn’t bother with pleasantries. | squared my shoulders, the anger and determination coursing through my veins. “I’m here to set things straight.”

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He removed his reading glasses and leaned back in his leather chair, his eyes assessingwith a mixture of skepticism and condescension. “Set things right? What are you talking about?”

| took a step closer to his desk, my gaze locked onto his. “I’m here to tell you that you have been served. I’m suing you for harassment and wrongful termination.”

Mr. Erickson’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief, and his earlier annoyance was replaced by flabbergasted shock. He sputtered for a moment, struggling to find his words. “You’re suing me?”

With a nod, | reached into my bag and pulled out the legal documents, sliding them across his desk. Mr. Erickson hesitated for a moment, his fingers hovering over the papers, as if touching them would make the situation all

too real. “This is ridiculous! You don’t have a case here, Evie.”

The anger surged within me, fueled by the memories of how he had treated me. “Maybe, but I'll fight for what's right. | won’t let you or anyone else destroy my life without a fight.”

“You can’t do this,” he finally said, his tone a mix of desperation and anger. “You left this firm of your own accord. You have no grounds for a lawsuit.”

| couldn't help but scoff at his words. “I left because | was pushed to my limits, Mr. Erickson. You and this firm made it impossible forto stay. You allowed rumors to circulate aboutwithout any proof. You condoned the harassment | faced, yours included, and you terminatedwithout cause. | have every right to take legal action.”

He leaned back in his chair, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “You may think you have a case, Evie, but you'll soon find out that | have the resources to bury you in legal battles. You won't win.”

| met his gaze without flinching. “I'll take my chances. You may have power and money, but | have the truth on my side. | won't let you or anyone else slander my nand get away with it.”

Leaving Mr. Erickson in his office, stunned and flustered, | felt a sense of satisfaction that | hadn’t experienced in a long time. But | knew that this was just the beginning of a long and arduous battle to clear my name.

As | made my way back through the office, the shock and whispers of my former colleagues followedlike a shadow. They couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed, and | couldn’t blthem. After all, it wasn’t every day that someone took on the powerful figurehead of the firm.

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Chapter 198